Hey, i have recently switch to an all wet food diet for my cats. I was wondering how much I should feed them a day. They are one years old and I feed them soulistic. Thank you.
IIRC Soulistic is Petco's new brand? I don't know how much your cat weighs but I'd say probably 2 6oz cans daily.... That is just a huge guess using the adult 8lb. cat needing about 240 calories a day. I have not familiarized myself with Soulistic yet. Wish I could be more help. There is an 800 number for them at (800)776-5262 which you can call for more info.Originally Posted by Russianbluea&t
Hey, i have recently switch to an all wet food diet for my cats. I was wondering how much I should feed them a day. They are one years old and I feed them soulistic. Thank you.
Everyone knows that the amount on the can is almost Always too much though, and especially since people don't seem too good at judging the fatness of a kitty/they think it's cute, it's usually best to start at one can per day.Originally Posted by Ducman69
IMO, just start with the feeding suggestion on the can, and if kitty seems a bit thin or overly hungry, kick it up a notch. If kitty is getting too squishy/round, then reduce a little.
Originally Posted by Ducman69
I don't think we need to consult NASA to be PERFECT on the money with calories. IMO, just start with the feeding suggestion on the can, and if kitty seems a bit thin or overly hungry, kick it up a notch. If kitty is getting too squishy/round, then reduce a little.
After all, most people don't really know exactly how many calories they should be or are consuming for that matter, but if they were a healthy weight and gain five pounds.... yeah, time to reel it in!
I have heard this about Nature's Variety before.Originally Posted by Korina
Uh oh, looks I appear to be a food monster :0
When my vet said your cat is pushing it's weight limit, and should consider 150 cal max, I looked at her funny.
My cat is a bengal that looks and acts like a siamese.
That means she scarfs food down, and screams for it when she is hungry.
She shares a house with another cat who is dry only, over the years of transitioning her to wet only, I have had problems where she would sneak dry food. Over time me and my family members have worked on lifting the bowl of dry out of reach, and thus helping to control the dry cats diet who is a bit husky.
Anyways what I find works best for me is I give her 1/3 the can before I leave for work, most cats have a shorter day time appetite. Then when I get home I give her the next 1/3 and then the rest of the can before I fall asleep.
Sometimes if I get home late and I know she is hungry I give her the who half can.
Also the only other reason to consider calories is that some wets are very low and some are very high.
For example Weruva is less than 100 calories a can, Merick is 150 a can, and Natures Variety Chicken(my cats fav) is 222 a can, and 259 for their Lamb variety.
Also a tip, if your cat takes to Natures Variety (which is maybe the most expensive wet) you can get the 13 oz dog sizes (company and vendors claim it is same product) for savings.
Excellent point, the first time I was told this was by my vendor, Pet Depot, these folks sell nothing but premiums, and at very low prices. They were told repeatedly by their suppliers and NV's marketing rep.Originally Posted by otto
I have heard this about Nature's Variety before.
Since cats and dogs have extremely different nutritional needs I would not trust a company that makes this claim.
It is not possible to make one food that is nutritionally correct and complete for both species. Their needs are just too different.
Cats should not be fed dog food. Cats have very different nutritional requirements than dogs. It is not possible to meet the needs of both cats and dogs in one food. I urge you to feed your cats a food made specifically for cats.Originally Posted by Ms.Blackie
Good point I had forgotten on NV dog food. I was told the same thing at pet store by their rep. I purchased the dog and my cat indeed ate it. At the time I just had one cat so I could not feed
the large can to her without her getting tired of it. I have 2 cats now. So I might look at it again, of course if cat #2 wont eat it that is a different story
Also of note, the NV chicken the last year or so has been packed in a liquid that is more aspic than it is water, allowing the food to hold its shape.Originally Posted by Ms.Blackie
Good point I had forgotten on NV dog food. I was told the same thing at pet store by their rep. I purchased the dog and my cat indeed ate it. At the time I just had one cat so I could not feed
the large can to her without her getting tired of it. I have 2 cats now. So I might look at it again, of course if cat #2 wont eat it that is a different story
Agree.Originally Posted by otto
Cats should not be fed dog food. Cats have very different nutritional requirements than dogs. It is not possible to meet the needs of both cats and dogs in one food. I urge you to feed your cats a food made specifically for cats.
That is an extremely sweeping, broad generalization don't you think? You're assuming "everyone" has the same mind set you have which is simply not the case. The amount on the can, or bag of food, is there for a reason. It's really much simpler than you can imagine. Rather than adding little bits at a time would it not be easier to feed the recommended amount and if the cat does not eat it all reduce the amount the next time you feed the cat? It's always been the best course of action in my household but that is just my experience.Originally Posted by Minka
Everyone knows that the amount on the can is almost Always too much though, and especially since people don't seem too good at judging the fatness of a kitty/they think it's cute, it's usually best to start at one can per day.
Problem is, a lot of cats are still hungry after you put down the recommended amount and/or the amount on the bag is too much and so the cat slowly gains weight over time.Originally Posted by NutroMike
That is an extremely sweeping, broad generalization don't you think? You're assuming "everyone" has the same mind set you have which is simply not the case. The amount on the can, or bag of food, is there for a reason. It's really much simpler than you can imagine. Rather than adding little bits at a time would it not be easier to feed the recommended amount and if the cat does not eat it all reduce the amount the next time you feed the cat? It's always been the best course of action in my household but that is just my experience.
I agree with this to a point, but there is one important factor. Not all calories are created equal. Cats need high quality meat protein to thrive. 200 calories of junk cat food might make a cat fat, whereas 200 calories from a good canned food with no fillers will keep the same kitty fit and trim.Originally Posted by Minka
Problem is, a lot of cats are still hungry after you put down the recommended amount and/or the amount on the bag is too much and so the cat slowly gains weight over time.
The amount of food a cat needs varies greatly from cat to cat, and therefor, the chance that the amount on the bag is correct for your cat is very slim. The best way to start is to see how many calories there are per cup, then go by what is recommended for your cat 'type' (gender, age, activity level, etc) and then increase or decrease from there.
If you make any search for how much to feed your cat, it will never say 'whatever is on the bag'.
As you pointed out, every cat has different nutritional needs. Not every calorie for every brand of food is the same either. If you've read the bag or cans of Nutro it will say "feeding guidelines". Guidelines being the key word. Guidelines meaning this is recommended but use it only as a guide. I don't know what other companies put on their bags and cans for recommended feeding of their food. I'd be suspicious of any brand that implies the company's recommendations for feed have to be adhered to. It's been years since I've even had to look at the feeding guidelines on a bag or a can of food. Ingredients tell me more than the feeding guidelines of the food company. If you Google "feeding guidelines cat" you'll get a more accurate search.Originally Posted by Minka
Problem is, a lot of cats are still hungry after you put down the recommended amount and/or the amount on the bag is too much and so the cat slowly gains weight over time.
The amount of food a cat needs varies greatly from cat to cat, and therefor, the chance that the amount on the bag is correct for your cat is very slim. The best way to start is to see how many calories there are per cup, then go by what is recommended for your cat 'type' (gender, age, activity level, etc) and then increase or decrease from there.
If you make any search for how much to feed your cat, it will never say 'whatever is on the bag'.